FMU Volleyball splits two matches at Patriot Invitational

FLORENCE, SC - The Francis Marion University women's volleyball team opened its 2008 season by splitting a pair of matches on the first day of the Patriot Invitational, Friday (Aug. 29) in the Smith University Center.

FMU (1-1) defeated Valdosta State University 25-17, 18-25, 25-22, 25-16 and then fell to the University of Arkansas at Monticello 19-25, 25-18, 27-29, 22-25.

UAM is coached by former Patriot volleyball player and 1994 Francis Marion graduate Nicole Smith.  The Cotton Blossoms won both their matches on Friday.

In the opener against VSU, freshman Ashlee Crook paced the Patriots with 12 kills and four blocks, while sophomore Mallory Eggert added nine kills and seven blocks, and freshman Ashlyn Underhill registered 11 digs, nine kills, and four blocks.   Junior setter Jess O'Leary handed out 35 assists, while sophomore libero Kelsie Deaton dug up 11 balls.

FMU held the Lady Blazers to a .124 attack percentage, while hitting .286 themselves.

In the loss to UAM, Underhill had 11 kills and senior Jessica Lombardi tallied 11 kills and five digs.  Senior setter Jenna Kaiser dished out 38 assists and had six digs, while Deaton recorded a team-high 20 digs.

FMU will play twice on Saturday: Glenville State University (2-0) at 9 a.m. and Converse College (0-2) at 7 p.m.

Admission to the invitational is free.

Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

Arkansas Monticello def. Concord 25-14, 25-9, 25-21

Glenville State def. Converse 25-22, 21-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-9

FMU def. Valdosta State 25-17, 18-25, 25-22, 25-16

Glenville State def. Concord 25-17,26-24, 21-25, 30-32, 15-10

Arkansas Monticello def. FMU 25-19, 18-25, 29-27, 25-22

Valdosta State def. Converse 25-17, 25-9, 25-21

Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008

9:00 am          FMU vs Glenville State

11:00 am       Arkansas Monticello vs Valdosta State

1:00 pm          Concord vs Converse

3:00 pm          Arkansas Monticello vs Glenville State

5:00 pm          Concord vs Valdosta State

7:00 pm          Converse vs FMU